Saturday, 7 March 2015

Fatehpur Sikri - India

Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
It's in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It's a short 40 km drive from Agra
The Emperor (1556-1605) decided to construct it on the
same site where
the birth of his son was predicted
by the wise & holy man, Shaikh Salim Chisti (1480-1572).

It's regarded as Akbar's crowning architectural legacy. The palaces, public buildings, gazebos, mosques, pavilions & halls were planned with great care for he intended FS to be his capital.

This only lasted between 1571 & 1585. Lack of water finally forced Akbar to move the capital to Lahore (in present day Pakistan) and then back to Agra (1598).

Akbar planned the complex around Persian principles that were derived from tent encampments.
The complex consists of independent
pavilions arranged around central squares.

But the beautiful thing about all this was the fusion of styles. His adopted land of India, can be seen throughout.

Inner view of Buland Darwaza (Bulland Gate)

All the buildings here were made of the local red stone. And he used indigenous craftsmen throughout in the construction. One can see Hindu & Jain architecture mixed with Islamic elements.

The monuments at Fatehpur Sikri thus reflect the genius of Akbar. He successfully combined diverse regional architectural styles. This layout definitely influenced later town planning which can be seen in cities such as Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi).

(Buland Darwaza) Bulland Gate, Fatehpur Sikri

Built to commemorate Akbar's victory against the Kingdom of Gujarat.

Bulland Gate (Buland Darwaza). This gateway is 55 metres tall. Completed in 1575, it's according to the locals the largest triumphal arch in the world. The Arch de Triomphe is 50m high. The Brandenburg Gate is 26m. The arch of Titus in Rome is 15m. One "gate" that is taller is the Arch of St. Louis, Missouri. It's 190m though it's debatable as to whether it's a triumphal arch or just a gateway. ???

Bulland Gate (Buland Darwaza)

The Horseshoe Gate at Fatehpur.
This is the central gate of the Buland Darwaza. The horseshoes are nailed for good luck.